Refugees with albinism brave the scorching sun and mud for a living
KAMWENGE - Esther Gorette Murefu is a Congolese refugee in with albinism. The rare genetic condition affects the pigment in her eyes causing her low vision, made her skin pink which is believed to have a greater susceptibility to skin cancer and has also made her hair white instead of black which is typical of the African human genetics.
Even with these conditions, Murefu, who lives in Rwamwanja settlement choses to leave her comfort zone for the mud and sun to earn a living. She wakes up every day to a brickfield to make bricks for a living. Murefu also engages in house construction whenever an opportunity avails. All this involves, working under scorching sun which people of her condition are almost allergic to.
Besides, brick making and house construction is work “considered” for men not women by the communities in Rwamwanja. Even with the difficulties she faces, Murefu doesn’t plan on backing out on her source of income since she dreams of a better life.
Just like Murefu, Felix Mulumba, a youth with albinism also works under the scorching sun for a living. He too, makes bricks and constructs houses for PSNs during the day. When dusk falls, Mulumba resorts to dance for more money. “I am a great dancer, I know how to break dance like Michael Jackson which makes people happy that they pay to see me dance,” says Mulumba.
Mulumba urges those with albinism to work hard for a living and a better life like other people. “Don’t wait for other people to meet your needs, being an albino doesn’t make you incapable, take up any opportunity to earn a living for self-sustenance,” added Mulumba who supports 5 siblings and his mother with household necessities like food.
Rwamwanja settlement hosts 69 Congolese refugees with albinism.
Brick making and house construction for a living
Both Murefu and Mulumba are attached to Mapendo Construction Group which makes interlocking bricks and also constructs houses for people with special needs (PSNs) like the elderly and those with disabilities. Both have been trained by Musa Sembagare who describes them as normal Africans in a white skin, strong and able to do as much work as any other person without albinism.
“Three of us in Mapendo Group were trained by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) on how to make interlocking and unburnt bricks as well as how to construct houses, we also trained 37 youth with who we formed a construction group,” said Sembagare the group Chairperson.
Sembagare says they acquired an interlocking brick making machine from LWF with funds from the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM). “They provide the cement we use for making bricks and also buy bricks from us, each at UGX 200,” said Sembagare explaining that the group can make 830 bricks a day.
Sembagare continues to say the group is contracted by LWF to construct houses for PSNs, each at UGX 600,000 which they share and use to meet their household needs. “With my income, I provide for three teenage sisters, I make sure they never lack because I don’t want them get lured in to prostitution for their needs.”
Delphin Kajibwami, a member of Mapendo takes his 4 children to school with his earnings, he also provides food and clothes for them. “I afford medical care for my children and wife,” added Jean Paul Safasco.
Youth are supported with trainings and are contracted by LWF to make bricks and construct shelters for PSNs. This is aimed at improving their livelihoods as described by Patrick Enun, a Field Extension Worker with LWF in charge of constructions.
Free modest shelter for PSNs
While youth construct and repair PSN houses for a living, PSNs like; elderly and people with disabilities get free warm, safe, modest shelters and lavatories from LWF with funds from PRM. PSNs are offered free facilities since they have increased needs for secure shelter and lavatories yet they remain unable to construct them.
144 PSNs are now living safe after acquiring modest shelters constructed under a project funded by PRM and implemented by LWF.
LWF appreciates PRM’s support towards its humanitarian activities aimed at protecting lives and improving people’s livelihoods in Rwamwanja settlement.
